Tempe is undoubtedly packed with plenty of fun activities for college students. Tempe is filled with infinite young and vibrant people who possess many different personalities, qualities, and interests. As in many large urban areas, some students complain that it can be hard to find a good number of honest, down-to-earth people in the rush of all the new faces. ASU is the only university in Tempe and the Phoenix metropolitan area. The University of Arizona in Tucson is approximately an hour and a half drive from Arizona State. Tempe is truly a college town. Its atmosphere, social scene, and commerce rely heavily upon the school and its students. Mill Avenue, the main stretch of road located just off of campus, is a perpetual hive of activity. It’s lined with a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, and retail stores, all of which appeal to the tastes and finances typical of college students.
In addition to all of the activities going on in the area, there are also numerous sporting events. With the Arizona Diamondbacks playing at Bank One Ballpark in the heart of downtown Phoenix, ASU football at Sun Devil Stadium, and NASCAR racing at Firebird International Raceway, the sporting events never tire. With so many things going on in Tempe and Scottsdale, many students never take the time to travel to other places around Arizona. I recommend that after you’ve had your fill of Tempe and urban life, you travel to the beautiful places in Northern Arizona such as Sedona, Prescott, and Payson. The Grand Canyon is amazing and is a must-see if you’re in Arizona. The local atmosphere is certainly sufficient, but much more of the state of Arizona is worth seeing as well. Don’t get overwhelmed by the large size of the school, or the amount of people; you’ll be surprised at how many familiar faces you know and how well you’ll know the campus after only one semester here.